"Memorial for Mary Melero Sparks Call for Change in Caretaker Abuse Cases"
Family members and supporters gathered at a memorial for Mary Melero, a disabled woman who died after being neglected and abused by her caretakers in a state-run program for people with developmental disabilities. They called for changes to the system of assigning disabled New Mexicans to caregivers and demanded accountability for those responsible. The community showed widespread support, wearing shirts with Melero's photo and releasing balloons in her memory. Melero's father expressed the need for change and for those failing in their duties to step aside. Attorneys are in the early stages of the investigation.